Song birds and Seagulls?

jeffcarr88

jeffcarr88

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Hey,

Just wondering WHY we are unable to shoot both song birds and Seagulls? Anyone know the reason behind this? They both seem to be common, especially the s**t hawks!!!

Not upset at this, just curious.

- J
 
In a general sort of way, it you can't eat it, use it in some way and it isn't hurting anything you leave it alone. There are exceptions, like introduced species that compete with native species, or anything that eats something that humans consider cute or would rather kill themselves.
 
The Migratory Birds Convention Act.

I don't feel quite as strongly about the seagulls, probably because of their local prevalence, but there is no reason to be popping songbirds. They have enough problems as it is.
 
Check you local regs and you will like as not, find a list of species that can be shot at any time or place that it is legal to discharge a firearm, including destroying their nests or eggs.

Some of the safe bets include Rock Doves (aka common pigeons), European Starlings, and English Sparrows. These are generally all considered to be invasive pests. Possibly Cowbirds. May include Crows, Ravens and Magpies. The latter is worth buying a bird book for, as the English Sparrow looks a lot like about a dozen species that are NOT fair game to shoot.

Fish farmers can (sometimes) get permits to shoot seagulls, in defense of their crop, but otherwise, they are as protected as any other songbird. Gonna cost big bucks otherwise, getting caught.

Find a copy of your regs and read them carefully!

If ya just gotta go kill something, make it something that won't be missed. Songbirds are protected. Aside from habitat losses, they get get pushed out of their habitat by the invasive species.

Cheers
Trev
 
Go to any street in the city during garbage day to see first hand that crows and seagulls numbers are dwindling and they need to be protected. :rolleyes:

....or any fast food restaurant, wharf, pond, park, dumpster, etc.


If your local laws allow, shoot a squirrel and save a songbird.
 
well said by many posters.. nearly all migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Birds Protection Act. There are a few exceptions that fall under provincial law (raptors, blackbirds, non-native species) but check the provincial regs. Before heading out to reduce the population of 'loophole' species, be sure that you can identify them properly! A small-ish black bird could be a cowbird (often has no protection) or a red-winged blackbird (provincially protected) or a rusty blackbird (protected under the Species At Risk Act). Don't become a poster boy for enforcement of migratory bird protection!

Humans have devised innumerable ways to inadvertently kill migratory birds and most populations are declining. give 'em a break.
 
Just to clear things up...

I do not WANT to shoot song birds, I have just always known you cannot and wondered the reason behind it.
 
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Gulls are like flying rats. Their crap will absolutely destroy your roof's shingles. They should not be a protected species.
 
A great majority of native "songbirds" are weed seed and insect eaters.
They are of far more benefit than they do harm.

Seagulls are effective scavengers ... but IMHO, they have in certain areas
become so numerous they tend to be pests.

Cormorrants ... now there's a good discussion for instituting population control.
What a disaster those things are in the making.
 
Pigeons and seagulls need to be exterminated, at least where i live.

Remember the "Passenger Pigeon"?

Neither do I, don't miss it either.
 
Yup, gulls are flying rats. They kill other birds by the truckloads. They occur in such numbers that the poor ravens, that struggle all winter, are chased off by these interlopers when things should be easier. They give eagles a bad time, lap up goose eggs and goslings in great numbers, and are a huge nuisance when they aren't being destructive, which mostly they are.

I do like to see them over salt water, but not inland. A flock of gulls, along with jaegers, and terns hovering over feeding whales while waiting for scraps is quit picturesque on a clear day. But once inland they look better through a scope.

I was rather put off to see pictures of these ####hawks all over the walls at the Schipole Airport. Apparently they are the national bird of the Netherlands; maybe we could send them ours.
 
As a kid I was tempted to shoot gulls, and was always told by my father that they were protected because they are such an efficient scavenger. True or not, they don't cause a lot of problems inland, are certainly part of the natural ecology, and certainly are not edible, so why bother them? I can see how Maritimers with piles of gull crap on their roofs might feel differently.:p

Songbirds are protected for a good reason...most species are suffering serious declines in population, from habitat loss and other reasons...which brings us to the perfect birds to shoot: the introduced species that are one of the major reasons for the decline in native species.

House sparrows, starlings and pigeons (rock doves) are all introduced pest species that displace and compete with natives. They are usually legal to shoot anytime, year-round, no limit. Check local regs to make sure.

Crows are usually legal to shoot at any time. They seem to be smarter than most people, so it's doubtful they are in much danger of depletion.

And finally...just to stir the pot a bit...don't forget the ultimate pests, the big-game of introduced, invasive, ecologically-disruptive, shoot-on-sight, PITA critters. No, it's not wild pigs, at least not in Canada yet. It's feral cats.
 
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